From Yunnan to North Vietnam (15 days) Kunming Dali Yuhu Lijiang Shangri La - Stone Forest - Jianshui Yuanyang Sapa Hanoi Halong Bay Hanoi Day 1: Arrival in Kunming Arrival in Kunming then transfer to your hotel. According to the time availability and your interests, visit Bamboo Temple, Western Hills or Golden Temple. In the evening, we strongly advice you to take part of the fantastic and colorful dancing and singing show "Yunnan Dynamic" (20:00-21:40), which is a perfect introduction to the Yunnan minorities. Day 2: Kunming Dali Morning plane or night train to Dali. Transfer to your hotel located in Dali Old Town. Day at leisure in Dali. We advised you to have a scroll in Dali Old Town, take the cable car up to Cangshan Mountain and Zhonghe Temple, and visit the 3 pagodas temple. Day 3: Dali Yuhu According to Chinese lunar calendar, visit one of the colorful minority markets around Dali. Stop at the Bai village of Xizhou, then drive to Yuhu, a lovely Naxi minority village close to Lijiang. Stop at several minorities villages on the way. At leisure at Yuhu village. In the evening, enjoy a local meal prepared by Naxi Mama, the excellent chef of today s Family Guest House. Day 4: Yuhu Shuhe In the morning, have a scroll in Yuhu surroundings. You can discover the Jade Dragon Mountain by feet or horseback. Have lunch at the Naxi Family. In the afternoon, drive to Baisha, and pay a visit to the famous Doctor Ho. Hike for one hour to the Old Town of Shuhe (also called Longquan). Check in at your private villa in Shuhe Old Town, then at leisure in this lovely Naxi village.
Day 5: Shuhe Lijiang Transfer to Lijiang and your hotel located in the Old Town, close to the market square. Day at leisure with your guide. We advise you to visit the Lion Hill, which offer stunning view over Lijiang Old Town; Mu s Family Palace and the Black Dragon Pool. You can attend the local Naxi Music Traditional music show in the evening (20:00-21:30). Day 6: Lijiang - Shangri La Today drive to Shangri La. On the way, stop at the First Bend of Yangtze River and its village Shigu. Then, continue to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Short walk down to the gorge. After lunch, continue North via Baishuitai. It constitutes a sacred sight for the Dongbas of Lijiang that come sometimes here in pilgrimage. Evening arrival in Shangri La. Check in at your hotel which is located next to the Tibetan monastery Gedan Songzanglin. Day 7: Shangri La Morning visit of Gedan Songzanlin temple by foot from your hotel. Then, according to your request, discover the surrounding countryside of Zhongdian, visit a Tibetan family and taste the local specialty - Yak butter tea and Yak cheese. After that we should join the Napa Lake or visit the Zhongdian old town. In the evening, will you join the local Tibetans in the Old Town central square for a short Tibetan dance with them? Day 8: Shangri La - Stone Forest - Jianshui Morning flight to Kunming. Your guide will meet you in Kunming airport to go south to Jianshui. On the way you will stop at the Stone Forest. After visiting this extraordinary sight, you will continue driving towards Jianshui. Overnight in the Zhu Family Garden, a fantastic traditional Chinese residence.
Day 9: Jianshui - Yuanyang In the morning, visit Jianshui old town and Confucius temple (the second biggest Confucius temple in China). Drive to Yuanyang in the afternoon. You can stop on the way to visit some minorities Yi and Hani villages. On arrival in Yuanyang, it time permits, we sunset at the fantastic Bada rice terraces. Day 10: Yuanyang Enjoy the sunrise on DuoYiShu rice terraces. Visit and walk in the rice terraces and several traditional Hani and Yi villages, like Jingkou village. According to the day of your visit, attend a local Yi and Hani market. Sunset at Laohuzui rice terraces. Day 11: Yuanyang - Hekou Sapa Morning transfer to the city border of Hekou. Cross border, meet your Vietnamese guide, then drive to Sapa. Check in at your Sapa hotel and at leisure. Day 12: Sapa Hanoi Morning discover of Sapa village and local markets. In the afternoon, excursion to the villages of Ta Van and La Chai for a 2-3 hours trekking trough Zay and H mong minorities villages. Evening transfer to Lao Cai for the night train to Hanoi. Day 13: Hanoi Halong Bay On arrival to Hanoi, transfer to Halong Bay. Boarding at 12h30 on a traditional junk for a memorable cruise in Halong Bay. You can stop to visit natural caves and bathe in the turquoise see. Lunch and dinner on board. Day 14: Halong Bay Hanoi Breakfast at 7am. Discover many islands and caves in Halong Bay. Return to the shores at noon. Return to Hanoi; visit Goal Thap Pagoda on the way. Walk in Hanoi Old Quarter, visit Literature Temple or ethnography museum. Water Puppet Show in evening. Day 15: Hanoi Free at leisure in Hanoi, visit of your choice to Hanoi, before your transfer towards the international airport of Hanoi for your return flight.
Price of the tour "From Yunnan to North Vietnam" 2 people: 1630 (US$ 2190) per person 3-4 people: 1260 (US$ 1690) per person 5-6 people: 1020 (US$ 1370) per person Price available except during Chinese public holidays: mid February (Chinese New Year), 1-7 May and 1-7 October. Price Inclusions: Charming boutique hotels with everyday breakfast. Local English speaking guides in Yunnan and Vietnam. Depending on number of people and roads, car/minibus/4wd with personal driver for all transportation included in the itinerary. Tips to guide and driver. Flight Kunming/Dali and Shangri La/Kunming including all taxes. All the airport transfers. All entrance fees for visit including on the programs. (except on day 2 in Dali and day 5 in Lijiang at leisure) Price Exclusions: Lunch and dinner to take depending on your envies and guide's advice. Entrance fees for the show "Yunnan Dynamic". China and Vietnam Visa fees. All personal expenses and activities not included in the tour. For more information about our Yunnan Tour "From Yunnan to North Vietnam", contact us at info@yunnan-roads.com